Popes

The Latest

When Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on Dec. 8, 1854, he had a golden crown added to the mosaic of Mary, Virgin Immaculate, in the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter's Basilica.

The remarkable life and papacy of Blessed Pope Pius IX

Feb 7, 2024

By ACI Prensa

He convened Vatican Council I, proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and declared St. Joseph “Patron of the Church.” Read more

The statue of Our Lady, Queen of Peace in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

Six popes are buried at St. Mary Major; Pope Francis says he’ll be next

Dec 14, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope said this week that a burial place has been prepared for him at Santa Maria Maggiore — who... Read more

The fresco of St. Leo the Great, doctor of the Church, in the cupola of the Church of St. Maximus of Turin, Italy.

St. Leo the Great: the pope who clarified the humanity and divinity of Christ

Nov 10, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The worldwide Church celebrates St. Leo the Great, the 45th bishop of Rome and one of only 37 doctors of... Read more

Jacob Matham's portrait of Leo XI, who reigned April 1-27, 1605.

The shortest papacies of all time? Pope John Paul I barely makes the list

Sep 18, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Blessed John Paul I did not serve as Roman Pontiff for long, but 10 other popes had shorter pontificates than... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller at a penance service in St. Peter's Basilica on March 29, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal Müller: Media image of ‘two popes’ threatens papacy as a ‘principle of unity’

Jan 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The former head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office has said that today’s media environment is undermining theological truths that are... Read more

The Gammarelli store-front after the announcement of a consistory of cardinals in October, 2010.

Gammarelli legacy passes to sixth generation of papal tailors

Jul 15, 2016

By Elise Harris

For five generations the Gammarellis have dressed and shod the Vicar of Christ through their family business, Rome’s historic Ditta... Read more

Dante portrait by Domenico di Michelino.

Dante's biggest fans? The 'poet of popes' and his legacy at the Vatican

Mar 20, 2015

By Ann Schneible

With this year marking the 750th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s birth, the Vatican is taking a closer look the author... Read more

CNA

Pope Francis prays at John Paul II's tomb on anniversary

Apr 3, 2013

Pope Francis spent a “long time” kneeling in silent prayer before the tomb of Blessed John Paul II on April... Read more